43: enemy……

Lu Yu leaned against the smooth edge of the stone platform, holding the still-sleeping Leng Qingshuang in his arms.

The warm pool water reached just past his chest, dispelling the night's chill.

He looked down at the person in his arms, at her smooth, fair shoulders and delicate collarbones, which still bore several ambiguous red marks.

She was sleeping deeply, her long eyelashes drooping moistly, casting a small shadow beneath her eyelids.

The flush on her face had faded, returning to its usual fairness; her brow was slightly furrowed as if her dreams were not quite peaceful, but her breathing was long and steady.

Lu Yu himself had also gained much.

His cultivation at the third level of the Nascent Soul Stage seemed to have improved further, and his Physical Body seemed to have undergone a new round of tempering. The fusion of his Nine Yang Haori Body with Leng Qingshuang's Cold Jade spiritual energy made his power attributes even more complex and formidable.

Moreover, he didn't feel any soreness in his waist or anything; instead, Sister Leng in his arms had long been overwhelmed. At this moment, her snow-white and beautiful body, which made one's blood boil, lay sprawled over him like a pile of delicate, boneless soft mud.

He carefully shifted his body, wanting to change to a more comfortable position. The brow of the woman in his arms furrowed tighter, and she subconsciously shrank into his embrace, her cheek rubbing against his solid chest to find a warmer spot before falling back into a deep sleep.

Lu Yu's movements froze, caught between laughter and tears.

If anyone saw the Canglan Holy Master, who awed the Nine Domains, clinging to a man's embrace like a koala while sleeping... the image was too beautiful to imagine.

Resigned to his fate, he maintained his posture and looked up at the sky.

The horizon was already turning the color of a fish's belly.

“Sister Leng.”

He lowered his voice and called out softly twice.

No reaction.

“Shuanger?”

As if possessed, Lu Yu used a form of address that even he found sickeningly sweet.

Leng Qingshuang's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes; she likely hadn't heard that mushy name.

Their eyes met.

There was no expected shame or indignation, nor was there any panicked dodging.

Those ice-blue eyes were initially a bit dazed from just waking up, like a lake shrouded in mist, but soon the mist cleared, revealing the clear and gentle light of the water beneath.

She raised a hand, seemingly wanting to touch Lu Yu's cheek, but stopped halfway, only using her finger to lightly trace the outline of his chin with a touch of lazy intimacy.

“Your Nine Yang Haori Body... and my Nine Yin Cold Jade Body are indeed among the best Dual Cultivation Physiques. The effects of this Dual Cultivation have also provided me with a bit of assistance.”

Her tone was very natural, as if discussing the nice weather or insights into a certain Cultivation Technique.

There was no deliberate concealment, nor any girlish bashfulness, only a calmness that came from experiencing the world, along with a sense of tenderness and... love for the person before her.

Lu Yu caught her finger resting on his jaw, gave it a light squeeze, and smiled.

“Of course, look who was putting in the effort.”

Leng Qingshuang rolled her eyes at him; that look wasn't the glare of a Holy Master, but rather one of playful reproach.

She didn't pull her hand back; instead, she took the opportunity to tickle his palm with her finger.

“Glittering tongue.”

Neither of them spoke again, quietly snuggling together in the gradually brightening dawn and the warm pool water.

The mist remained dense, yet it was no longer ambiguous, instead carrying a sense of peaceful tranquility as if time were standing still.

After a while, Leng Qingshuang moved, seemingly wanting to get up, but as soon as she did, she let out a soft 'hiss' and her brow furrowed slightly.

“What's wrong?”

Lu Yu seemed to have realized something, but he feigned ignorance and asked with a smile on his lips.

“It's nothing, just a bit... weak.”

A very faint flush crossed Leng Qingshuang's face, but she quickly returned to normal.

However, deep inside, a sense of overwhelming shame emerged.

She was at the Late Stage of the Mahayana Stage, while Lu Yu was only at the third level of the Nascent Soul Stage!

She had boastfully said last time that she would use her Mahayana cultivation to forcefully suppress Lu Yu and make him beg for mercy, yet this time, the one begging for mercy in the end was still her!

Last time was because she was passive, unwilling to take the initiative due to shyness.

This time she took the initiative but still couldn't win!

Was she even still in the Mahayana Stage?

Was this Mahayana Stage fake?

Thinking about how she had ended up calling him 'Good Brother' in a humble plea for mercy last night, she felt a wave of shame.

What on earth was this boy's body made of to be so outstanding in this regard!

If Lu Yu knew her current thoughts, he would certainly puff out his chest with pride and put his hands on his hips.

Lu Yu: This Supreme Bone of mine is no joke!

But Lu Yu didn't have mind-reading skills.

He smiled slightly, exerted strength in his arm to carefully help her sit up, and then naturally helped her tidy the damp hair sticking to her back.

“Shall I carry you up?”

“No need.”

Leng Qingshuang shook her head; though her movements were a bit slow, she steadied herself and looked at the sky.

“It's almost light; you should go back.”

Lu Yu nodded, knowing it wasn't wise to stay long; it wouldn't be good if he were discovered by some patrolling female Disciples.

He stood up first, bringing up a splash of water, then turned and naturally reached out his hand to her.

Leng Qingshuang looked at the large, warm, well-defined hand extended before her, and a faint smile rippled in her ice-blue eyes.

She didn't hesitate and placed her hand in his.

With a slight pull from Lu Yu, he lifted her from the water.

Spring water slid off her body, outlining breathtaking curves in the dawn light.

Lu Yu's Adam's apple bobbed; this enchanting and moving silhouette, like a celestial fairy, was something he would never tire of even if he saw it ten million times!

Picking up his damp outer robe from the shore, he swept it with Haori Spiritual Energy. The moisture instantly evaporated, leaving it dry and warm, and he then carefully draped it over Leng Qingshuang's body, tucking it in well.

“Wear this, don't catch a cold.”

His movements were gentle and protective; although someone in the Mahayana Stage certainly wouldn't catch a cold, this kind of care still had to be shown.

It was a matter of attitude!

Leng Qingshuang let him have his way, only looking up at his focused profile, the tenderness in her eyes almost overflowing.

Lu Yu quickly threw on his own clothes.

Fully dressed, the two stood by the stone platform, momentarily speechless.

The morning breeze blew with a chill, dispersing some of the mist.

“Sister Leng.”

Leng Qingshuang looked up at him and replied, “Hmm?”

“Next time... if there's a need again, or if you just want to see me, you don't need to find excuses like checking my injuries or treating hidden wounds. Just come to me directly; I know your heart.”

Lu Yu looked at her, his tone serious.

Leng Qingshuang's face finally turned completely red, but this time it wasn't out of shame or annoyance, but rather a bit of bashfulness and sweetness from having her thoughts exposed.

She gave his calf a light kick.

“Aren't you the clever one.”

Lu Yu smiled and rubbed the spot she kicked, though it didn't hurt at all.

“Then, I'm leaving?”

“Yes.”

Leng Qingshuang nodded, paused, and then added.

“At the Hour of Si (nine to eleven in the morning), there is a Thank-you Banquet at Canglan Hall. Ling Feiyan will attend, and you must be there too.”

Her tone regained thirty percent of the Holy Master's commanding manner, but the hint of reluctance and expectation in her eyes couldn't be hidden.

“Understood.”

Lu Yu leaned down and gave her bright red lips a quick kiss.

“Wait for me.”

Having said that, without waiting for Leng Qingshuang's reaction, his figure flashed and he disappeared into the brightening mountain forest.

Leng Qingshuang stood in place, touching her lips that had been ambushed. After a long while, she let out a soft “Hmph,” but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

“Fated adversary...”